A Chowhound sleuth has it that Downtown Crossing’s Bina Osteria and Alimentari have shuttered, which Eater also confirmed per a message on the restaurant’s answering service. Sad but not surprising: The place went through a series of chefs and menu reformats; its final day was Sunday. On a happy note, it’ll be replaced by Sip and Artisan Provisions, from the Legendary Restaurant Group, which also operates foolproof spots like Papagayo and Max & Dylan’s. We talked to Legendary’s Chris Damian for info about his new spot, which will offer a 70-seat patio and to-go sushi.
At Artisan, expect heart-healthy to-go dishes (sushi, salads), as well as Italian standards like chicken parmesan and stuffed shells, plus cold cuts and subs. It’s a more approachable format than Bina’s higher-end, smaller-market selection. (Competition for the forthcoming Wegmans?) Also at the shop: A 16-seat butcher block table designed for group parties, which could function “kind of like a pop-up,” Damian tells Grub. The market is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
And at the adjacent Sip (motto: Drink - Taste - Discover), Damian says that the menu will be versatile: sushi, steak, shareable plates, a raw bar, flatbread, crostini, ceviche … a little something for everyone. In keeping with the motto, wine will also be a focus, with 30 wines offered by the “sip”, half glass and full glass and 150 labels by the bottle, plus nine options under $9. He and partner Brad Dalbeck are in talks with a “recognizable” chef, he tells us, who shall remain nameless for the time being. All this and a 70-seat patio! To that end, Damian aims for a mid-June opening if all goes according to plan.
As for Bina, Damian (who calls owner Babek Bina “the nicest man in the business”) says that the hand-off was completely amicable and mutual. Bina will continue to focus on his other projects like Lala Rokh, Bin 26, and JM Curley. Damian, who’s had success with Max & Dylan’s around the corner, has high hopes for Downtown Crossing’s ongoing gentrification. And, as for us, we’re happy to have a solid place for to-go sushi in the neighborhood that has absolutely nothing to do with a pharmacy.
Related: Will Wegmans Legitimize Downtown Crossing?
Downtown Crossing: Like Times Square, Only Different?
Drugstore Sushi Isn’t Going to Drive the Tourists (or the Locals) Wild
